Victory! – Mandatory Kindergarten Defeated
JOINT LEGISLATIVE VICTORY NEWSFLASH – September 18, 2012
From: Roy Hanson — Family Protection Ministries and Mike Smith — HSLDA
Bill: AB 1772 (Buchanan) as amended 4/11/12 – Mandatory Kindergarten
DEFEATED – A Great Victory for Children and their Parents!!
We Strongly Opposed.
Thank you for your important prayers and phone calls that made a big difference!
Status:
AB 1772 died in the California State Assembly.
Summary of Concern:
AB 1772 would have encroached upon parental rights by making kindergarten mandatory before taking the first grade, forcing the addition of one more year to a child’s education.
The last amended version of AB 1772 would have indirectly done what the previous version would have directly done – that is to have “everyone” starting formal schooling at 5 years of age. This bill is similar to, but different from AB 2203.
The vast majority of research demonstrates that, while some children in institutional early childhood education programs may experience short-term gains under certain circumstances, these disappear after two to four years. Conversely under this bill, many children, especially boys, would have experienced adverse effects for a long period of time from being forced into a formal education program at too early of an age. For documentation of this point, see the background summary of research at http://childandfamilyprotection.org/eceissuesbgca.html.
There were serious problems with AB 1772 that are outlined in our previous Action Alert, which you can read here.
We appreciate all who helped with your vital phone calls and prayers, and with teamwork support of our (FPM’s) work at the Capitol in Sacramento.
FPM’s Nathan Pierce testified in Committee against AB 1772 on your behalf.
No further action is required on AB 1772.
Thanks again for your important prayers, phone calls, and support of our work!
